A former substitute teacher in Connecticut has been arrested after police say she allegedly slapped a 12-year-old girl at school while other students watched.
Ruthanna Terreri, 64, was charged on May 6 with third-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor in connection with an April 17 incident at Chester Elementary School, according to Connecticut State Police.
The case began after the girl’s mother contacted authorities and reported that her daughter had been slapped by a teacher.
A state trooper responded to the school around 12:40 p.m., according to a warrant cited by the New Haven Register. Principal Tyson Stoddard identified Terreri as the teacher involved and told investigators she had been working as a long-term substitute.
After the allegation surfaced, Terreri was placed on administrative leave and escorted out of the building.
The 12-year-old student told police she was helping with a live school broadcast when Terreri allegedly struck her in the head twice with an open palm.
The girl said the first slap startled her and the second one hurt. She also told investigators that Terreri did not say anything after either strike and that she had done nothing to provoke it.
Police said the child did not appear to have visible injuries, but the incident was reported to the state Department of Children and Families.
Three other students who were present gave sworn statements that backed up the girl’s account, according to authorities.
Police said all three students reported seeing Terreri hit the girl on the head with an open palm. Two witnesses said they saw the teacher strike the student twice, while a third said the girl was slapped three times.
The witnesses also said the victim told them the slap was painful.
Terreri later met with police and denied slapping the student. According to the warrant, she claimed she had only tapped the girl on the head to tell her when to press a button for the next slide during the school broadcast.
Terreri allegedly said she first tapped the back of the student’s head with two fingers, then tapped her several more times when the child did not respond.
Police wrote in the warrant that Terreri said the broadcast ended successfully and that she told the students they did a good job before they left the room.
Superintendent Brian White said Terreri was no longer employed by the district at the time of her arrest, according to the New Haven Register. It is unclear whether she resigned or was fired.
Terreri was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Middletown on Thursday, May 21, for her arraignment.
It is not currently clear whether she has retained an attorney.
The brat definitely deserved it. These kids all need a good slap these days.
The brat probably deserved it